Ocean Ghosts by Kain Jensen

Author:Kain Jensen [Jensen, Kain]
Language: eng
Format: azw3, epub
Tags: Fantasy, Genderqueer, Pansexual, Romance
Publisher: Less Than Three Press, LLC
Published: 2019-07-30T16:00:00+00:00

Chapter Five

The soft ground gave easily under the push of the shovel, and another heap of wet mud joined the growing pile to the side. The hole was almost big enough to accommodate the well-developed root system of the rose bush resting next to it. The night was still young, and fortunately the rain had stopped completely, though the ever-present fog was seeping through the gate and into the garden.

Jack stopped digging and swiped a lock of hair that had fallen over his forehead. He kneeled next to the new plant and carefully unwrapped it. It was a bit late into the season, but he hoped the consistent rain and moisture would be enough to make the plant feel good in its new home. There were two pale blue buds ready to bloom on the top, and Jack had to admit they were the reason he'd picked up the plant on his morning walk at the market to begin with. Their ghostly luminescence was akin to lightning behind heavy clouds and reminded him of Zephyr's stormy eyes.

"A new rose?"

Jack shook his head when he heard Zephyr's curious voice behind him. He was never far from Jack's mind and, well, not far from his sight either. Turning, he regarded Zephyr with what he hoped was a serious expression. "If I recall correctly, someone obliterated the last rose in this spot." A smile tugged at the corner of Jack's lips when he saw a shadow of embarrassment cross Zephyr's features.

"I was still rather angry at the time… Maybe you'll be forgiving of my mistake if I offer my assistance?" Zephyr took the shovel and began to widen the hole in the ground. After disposing of a couple more shovels of soil, a loud clank sounded from the bottom. Jack put a hand on the shovel's handle, stopping Zephyr mid-move.

"That sounded a bit like a stone. Let me check." Jack traced the bottom of the hole with a hand, feeling for anything unusual in the ground. There was a more solid patch, as wide as his palm. Extending a portion of his consciousness, Jack was surprised to feel the slight fluctuation in the magnetic field that usually meant there was sky iron nearby. He took the shovel again and cleaned the soil from around the solid patch, which formed a rough square.

"All right, usually anything made of sky iron had been meticulously gathered and reused, even weapons after the wars. Though I can see how something as small as this might have disappeared." Jack took the nearly flat iron block and turned to look at Zephyr, who was watching him intently. "Will you take this to the forge while I finish planting the rose, please?"

"Of course." Zephyr took the muddy find and turned, walking away with large strides through the garden.

Jack watched him until he disappeared around the corner and smiled to himself. The memories from the previous night were still fresh in his mind, and he took a deep breath. Just thinking about what they had done was enough to make heat pool in his lower abdomen.

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